YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts, which serves Greater Lawrence, Haverhill and other Essex County communities, said it is opening a new domestic violence and sexual assault services office in Methuen where women can escape.
The YWCA and Methuen said the basement at the 5 Wallace St. space was once used in an alleged human trafficking operation. It will now be used as a space for victims of sex crimes, domestic violence and human trafficking to meet with counselors and advocates and host workshops for survivors.
“This community has an opportunity to look at this location differently,” said Maricelis Ortiz, CEO of the YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts. “We cannot change what happened here in the past. But we can absolutely change what happens here next. This is about more than opening an office, we are changing what this address means. A place that was once associated with exploitation is becoming a place of safety, advocacy, healing and hope.”
As WHAV reported a year ago, Methuen closed a massage parlor at the address, alleging it was used as a house of ill fame and trafficking for sexual servitude.
“We will be using this space to empower women and to give them their best chance at a new chapter in life that doesn’t involve violence or sexual exploitation,” said YWCA of Northeastern Massachusetts’ Director of Advancement Nicole Sammartino.
The renovated building, which required extensive cleanup to correct code violations, opens Friday, Oct. 2, with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m.